The European Union has worked in recent years to develop its diplomatic capacity. EU member states have paid especially close attention to developments in the former Soviet Union, including the countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia. For example, EU states played an important role in securing the Council of Europe's decision to admit Armenia and Azerbaijan as full members in June 2000.

This year Kyrgyz historians and officials are planning celebrations of the 2,200th anniversary of the first mention of the "Kyrgyz" people in ancient Chinese manuscripts. The celebration is the latest in a decade-long string of festivities throughout Central Asia.

Central Asia's emergence as a drug trafficking hub has helped cause a dramatic rise in narcotics use among residents of the region. The increase of drug use has, in turn, helped fuel potentially destabilizing social trends, including crime and health issues. Dr.

EurasiaNet: You maintain there are some differences in the characteristics of narcotics use today compared with that during the pre-Soviet times. Can you explain these differences as they pertain to Central Asia?

As the armies of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan brace for a third summer of fighting against the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), there are indications that the insurgency is broadening its appeal. Pressed by declining economic conditions and political repression, young men from across Central Asia are joining the ranks of the IMU.

Turkey's newly appointed economy boss is trying to sell his economic reform ideas to foreign lenders during a visit to Washington which began March 26. Tucked away in the details of Kemal Dervis's revival program is a bold commitment to completely privatize Turk Telekom, the country's monopoly fixed line operator.

Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia's foreign policy establishment is rethinking the concept of empire. In the case of Moscow's approach towards Central Asia, ideas about territorial domination no longer play a significant role in the formulation of strategy, according to a source with access to Russia's policy-making mechanisms.